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| website = [http://www.gdfl.org/ www.gdfl.org]
| website = [http://www.gdfl.org/ www.gdfl.org]
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The '''Gridiron Developmental Football League''' ('''GDFL''') is a low-level minor professional [[american football|football]] league<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.senatefootball.com/news/the-mission-vision-and-plan|title=
The '''Gridiron Developmental Football League''' ('''GDFL''') is a low-level minor professional [[american football|football]] league based in [[Memphis, Tennessee]] using the franchise model.<ref name="About">{{cite web|url=http://www.gdfl.org/about/|title=Gridiron Developmental Football League - About|publisher=Gridiron Developmental Football League|access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/local_sports/joplin-crusaders-add-second-team/article_572d0e0d-f547-561d-84b9-cbabaf298ddd.html|title=Joplin Crusaders add second team}}</ref> The league has a partnering agreement with the [[Elite Football League of India]] (EFLI) for player development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tulsaworld.com/communities/oklahoma-thunder-football-agrees-to-foreign-exchange-player-program/article_6f4c32b6-e284-11e3-9c8a-10604b9ffee2.html|title=Oklahoma Thunder Football agrees to foreign exchange player program}}</ref>
Salt Lake Senate The Mission Vision and Plan}}</ref> based in [[Memphis, Tennessee]] using the franchise model.<ref name="About">{{cite web|url=http://www.gdfl.org/about/|title=Gridiron Developmental Football League - About|publisher=Gridiron Developmental Football League|access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/local_sports/joplin-crusaders-add-second-team/article_572d0e0d-f547-561d-84b9-cbabaf298ddd.html|title=Joplin Crusaders add second team}}</ref> {{As of|2021|January}}, the league has 63 teams, and the league play playoff format similar to NCAA tournament, as 16 teams make the playoffs, with 14 automatic division winners qualifiers.


{{As of|2021|January}}, the league has 63 teams, including two former indoor teams: The [[Tampa Bay Warriors]] (formerly the [[Florida Scorpions]]) and the [[Myrtle Beach Sharks]] (previously from the [[American_Arena_League#Arena_Pro_Football_and_the_Can-Am_Indoor_Football_League|Arena Pro Football]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gdfl.org/news/pro-arena-team-joins-gdfl|title=Pro Arena Team Joins GDFL}}</ref>
The GDFL in the only pro outdoor league in history that had former indoor teams - the [[Tampa Bay Warriors]] (formerly the [[Florida Scorpions]]) and the [[Myrtle Beach Sharks]] (previously from the [[American_Arena_League#Arena_Pro_Football_and_the_Can-Am_Indoor_Football_League|Arena Pro Football]]) - that made the transition to play in the league.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gdfl.org/news/pro-arena-team-joins-gdfl|title=Pro Arena Team Joins GDFL}}</ref>


The league has a partnering agreement with the [[Elite Football League of India]] (EFLI) for player development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tulsaworld.com/communities/oklahoma-thunder-football-agrees-to-foreign-exchange-player-program/article_6f4c32b6-e284-11e3-9c8a-10604b9ffee2.html|title=Oklahoma Thunder Football agrees to foreign exchange player program}}</ref>
⚫
==History of GDFL==

⚫
==History==


The league was founded in 2009 and formed in 2010, with Charles Thompson as the founder and first president, as representatives of several Regional Minor Pro Football teams.<ref name="About" /><ref>{{cite web|title=When it comes to football D-leagues, resources are crucial, but locality may be the real key|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/02/09/developmental-football-leagues-pacific-pro|website=Sports Illustrated|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wallace |first1=Scott |title=Bulldawgs Join Gridiron Developmental Football League |url=http://tntribune.com/sports/metro-sports/bulldawgs-join-gridiron-developmental-football-league/ |access-date=December 14, 2018 |work=The Tennessee Tribune |date=January 23, 2018}}</ref>
The league was founded in 2009 and formed in 2010, with Charles Thompson as the founder and first president, as representatives of several Regional Minor Pro Football teams.<ref name="About" /><ref>{{cite web|title=When it comes to football D-leagues, resources are crucial, but locality may be the real key|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/02/09/developmental-football-leagues-pacific-pro|website=Sports Illustrated|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wallace |first1=Scott |title=Bulldawgs Join Gridiron Developmental Football League |url=http://tntribune.com/sports/metro-sports/bulldawgs-join-gridiron-developmental-football-league/ |access-date=December 14, 2018 |work=The Tennessee Tribune |date=January 23, 2018}}</ref>
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Memphis Blast, Arkansas Pirates, Carolina Warriors, Mississippi Raiders, Huntsville Hurricanes, Derby City Thunder, Hopkinsville Marauders, River City Raptors, Kentucky Wolverines, Ohio Browns, Columbus Gladiators, Tristate Sharks, Goshen Rampage, North Carolina Bengals, Lumberton Razorbacks, Carolina Cougars, Carolina Lions, Carolina Warhawks, Carolina Warriors, Port City Snipers, Beaufort Broncos, Palmetto Havoc, Palmetto State Spartans, CSRA Cobras, Georgia Crush, Rock Hill Scorpions, Lake Norman Fear, Ashville Grizzlies.
Memphis Blast, Arkansas Pirates, Carolina Warriors, Mississippi Raiders, Huntsville Hurricanes, Derby City Thunder, Hopkinsville Marauders, River City Raptors, Kentucky Wolverines, Ohio Browns, Columbus Gladiators, Tristate Sharks, Goshen Rampage, North Carolina Bengals, Lumberton Razorbacks, Carolina Cougars, Carolina Lions, Carolina Warhawks, Carolina Warriors, Port City Snipers, Beaufort Broncos, Palmetto Havoc, Palmetto State Spartans, CSRA Cobras, Georgia Crush, Rock Hill Scorpions, Lake Norman Fear, Ashville Grizzlies.


== Current teams ==
===2019-present===
In September 2019 the GDFL reached an agreement with '''Labelle Developmental Football League'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ldflfootball.com/|title=Labelle Developmental Football League}}</ref> (formerly ''Labelle Community Football League''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.semiprofootball.org/index.htm|title=Labelle Community Football League Champions}}</ref>) to absorb the league teams under the Gridiron Developmental Football League umbrella, and will launch "GDFL West Coast". In October the '''Colorado Football Association''' announced that their league teams are joining the GDFL.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gocfafootball.com/teams/?u=APFL2&s=football|title=Colorado Football Association}}</ref> As with almost all other sports leagues, the GDFL suspended operations during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gdfl.org/news/covid-19-forces-gdfl-to-cancel-the-2020-season|title=COVID-19 Forces GDFL To Cancel The 2020 Season}}</ref>

== Teams ==
{{small|Source}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stats - Gridiron Developmental Football League|url=https://www.gdfl.org/stats#/73/teams?season_id=3028|access-date=2020-12-14|website=www.gdfl.org}}</ref>
{{small|Source}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stats - Gridiron Developmental Football League|url=https://www.gdfl.org/stats#/73/teams?season_id=3028|access-date=2020-12-14|website=www.gdfl.org}}</ref>
* <u>Eastern Impact North Division:</u> [[Huntsville Rockets]], Louisville Raiders, Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs, Tri-City Outlaws
* <u>Eastern Impact North Division:</u> [[Huntsville Rockets]], Louisville Raiders, Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs, Tri-City Outlaws
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==Notable players==
==Notable players==
{{small|Source}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Next Level Pro's|url=https://www.gdfl.org/next-level-pro-s|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Delvin Breaux]]
*[[Delvin Breaux]]
*[[De'Mon Glanton]]
*[[De'Mon Glanton]]

Revision as of 18:33, 5 March 2021

Gridiron Developmental Football League
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2019–20 GDFL season
ClassificationLow-level minor league
SportAmerican football
Founded2010
No. of teams63
CountriesUnited States
Official websitewww.gdfl.org

The Gridiron Developmental Football League (GDFL) is a low-level minor professional football league[1] based in Memphis, Tennessee using the franchise model.[2][3] As of January 2021, the league has 63 teams, and the league play playoff format similar to NCAA tournament, as 16 teams make the playoffs, with 14 automatic division winners qualifiers.

The GDFL in the only pro outdoor league in history that had former indoor teams - the Tampa Bay Warriors (formerly the Florida Scorpions) and the Myrtle Beach Sharks (previously from the Arena Pro Football) - that made the transition to play in the league.[4]

The league has a partnering agreement with the Elite Football League of India (EFLI) for player development.[5]

History

The league was founded in 2009 and formed in 2010, with Charles Thompson as the founder and first president, as representatives of several Regional Minor Pro Football teams.[2][6][7]

GDFL Inaugural Teams

Memphis Blast, Arkansas Pirates, Carolina Warriors, Mississippi Raiders, Huntsville Hurricanes, Derby City Thunder, Hopkinsville Marauders, River City Raptors, Kentucky Wolverines, Ohio Browns, Columbus Gladiators, Tristate Sharks, Goshen Rampage, North Carolina Bengals, Lumberton Razorbacks, Carolina Cougars, Carolina Lions, Carolina Warhawks, Carolina Warriors, Port City Snipers, Beaufort Broncos, Palmetto Havoc, Palmetto State Spartans, CSRA Cobras, Georgia Crush, Rock Hill Scorpions, Lake Norman Fear, Ashville Grizzlies.

2019-present

In September 2019 the GDFL reached an agreement with Labelle Developmental Football League[8] (formerly Labelle Community Football League[9]) to absorb the league teams under the Gridiron Developmental Football League umbrella, and will launch "GDFL West Coast". In October the Colorado Football Association announced that their league teams are joining the GDFL.[10] As with almost all other sports leagues, the GDFL suspended operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

Teams

Source[12]

  • Eastern Impact North Division: Huntsville Rockets, Louisville Raiders, Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs, Tri-City Outlaws
  • Eastern Impact South Division: Magnolia State Knights, Memphis Blast, Mississippi Road Warriors, River City Pythons
  • Western Impact Conference East Division: Kern Oilers, Mecca Town Dogs, Santa Clarita Valley Tigers, Sin City Rough Riders, SoCal Coyotes, West Coast Lions
  • Western Impact Conference South Division: 805 Bears, Inglewood Blackhawks, Kipsat Bears, North County Zulu, San Diego Silverbacks, Southern California Apaches
  • Western Impact Conference North Division: Alameda County Knights, Bay Delta Nightmare, Golden State Rhinos, South Beach Outlaws
  • Western Impact Conference West Division: Central Valley Hurricanes, East Valley Bandits, Elk Grove Kingz, Valley Stallions
  • Eastern Xtreme East Division: Cataract City Wolverines, East Penn Raiders, Syracuse Strong, Upstate Predators, Utica Nighthawks
  • Eastern Xtreme North Division: Cleveland Rams, Ohio Elite Outlaws, Ohio Gladiators, Ohio Phoenix
  • Eastern Xtreme Northwest Division: Greensburg Golden Hawks, Shenango Valley Truth, Steel City Bobcats, WPA Wildcatz
  • Eastern Xtreme South Division: Cleveland Cobras, Cleveland Predators, Columbus Fire, Lake Erie Explosion
  • Eastern Xtreme West Division: Charleroi Sabers, Erie Express, Pittsburgh Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Saints
  • Western Xtreme Conference North Division: Colorado Knights, Montana Dawgs, Salt Lake City Senate, Wasatch Revolution
  • Western Xtreme Conference East Division: Colorado Greyhawks, Denco Spades, Denver Sharks, Loveland Elite, Mile High Sting, Southern Colorado Renegades, Western Dakota War Eagles
  • Western Xtreme Conference South Division: Joplin Crusaders, Oklahoma Thunder, Texas Raiders

GDFL National Champions

Source[13][14]

GDFL Commissioners

George Burch (2017-)

Devin Richardson (2015- 2017)

Steven Roper (2014-2015)

Charles Thompson (2010-2014)

Notable players

Source[27]

References

  1. ^ "Salt Lake Senate The Mission Vision and Plan".
  2. ^ a b "Gridiron Developmental Football League - About". Gridiron Developmental Football League. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Joplin Crusaders add second team".
  4. ^ "Pro Arena Team Joins GDFL".
  5. ^ "Oklahoma Thunder Football agrees to foreign exchange player program".
  6. ^ "When it comes to football D-leagues, resources are crucial, but locality may be the real key". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  7. ^ Wallace, Scott (January 23, 2018). "Bulldawgs Join Gridiron Developmental Football League". The Tennessee Tribune. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  8. ^ "Labelle Developmental Football League".
  9. ^ "Labelle Community Football League Champions".
  10. ^ "Colorado Football Association".
  11. ^ "COVID-19 Forces GDFL To Cancel The 2020 Season".
  12. ^ "Stats - Gridiron Developmental Football League". www.gdfl.org. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  13. ^ "Gridiron Developmental Football League Champions".
  14. ^ "National champions".
  15. ^ "2010 Standing".
  16. ^ "2011 Standing".
  17. ^ "GDFL Championship Game, Tara Stadium 10-1-2011".
  18. ^ "2012 GDFL Season Approaching Fast".
  19. ^ "2012 Standing".
  20. ^ "Central Penn Piranha Win 2012 GDFL National Championship".
  21. ^ "2013 Standing".
  22. ^ "Thunder Drop Boom On Storm; Win GDFL National Championship".
  23. ^ "2014 Standing".
  24. ^ "Central Penn Wins Second GDFL Championship In Two Years".
  25. ^ "2015 Standing".
  26. ^ "2016 Standing".
  27. ^ "Next Level Pro's".
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